Cafe Iberico: User Reviews

Disgusting Food, Awful Service - My Worst Dining Experience Ever
By mickey7410 from Lakeview, September 12, 2009

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I can't say enough bad things about my experience. First they forgot to call out our names when it was our turn to sit and they were unapologetic when I went up to ask about it. Then our waiter was rude. Our shrimp arrived at the table without being deveined. And just like the waiter, the management was rude.

Stay away.

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Just getting your feet wet in tapas country? Cafe Iberico is for you.
By EnthusedFoodie from Forest Park, June 25, 2009

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I wouldn't recommend Iberico for the tapas enthusiast. For someone new to tapas or for touristas, Iberico's large-portioned, fairly-priced plates with straight-forward flavors and mainstream ingredients are a delicious treat. Just don't expect to find anything truly amazing in these platters. Still, you can't deny that the food is tasty. One dish that did impress me was the Tartar de Salmon. It’s a little creamier than others I’ve had, but the saltiness of the capers and caviar was very well balanced. I also had the hot tapas plate of mussels. They tasted very fresh; and I could have put the red sauce they were served with in a glass and drank it. The cold seafood salad had interesting flavors, but not enough seafood. The biggest tip I can give Iberico – and other restaurants – is to warm the bread. All it takes is a heat lamp to make a bland slice of bread into something extraordinarily comforting. The seafood paella (Paella Marinera) was excellent, but I'm a paella first-timer so I can't comment further. Their Flan de Chocolate was divine. It was the sexiest piece of flan I’ve ever had, if a piece of flan can be called sexy. The chocolate flavor was so authentic I’d compare it to eating the smoothest, most luxurious chocolate cake you’ll ever have. Don't bother with the sangria. It's good, but straight from the bottle making the mark-up all the more painful. They have a full bar so I'd opt for a favored cocktail or specialty drink.

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Great Tapas. Great Value.
By travelinman from planet earth, March 30, 2009

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After reading some poor or OK revues of this restaurant, Cafe Iberico, I took a chance and decied to hit two in one night just for fun. Sort of a tapa pub crawl. Well......I never made it pass the Cafe Iberico. GREAT MENU! Lots of fun things. Like many of the other revues, I have been to many tapa bars in Spain. It may not be the best, but it can hold it own in quality and value. Noisy, fun, busy. Romantic? You would have to make your own romance. Just enjoy the good times and good food. I will be back this week, and I never go back to the same place that often.

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Funny
By Eurogirl from South Loop, January 23, 2009

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You ordered a pitcher of margarita with your tapas? No wonder your night was ruined.

CI is the best tapas place in Chicago, however it doesn't even come close with restaurants in Northern Spain or Madrid.

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Not the Cafe Iberico I remember
By North Side resident from Irving Park, October 31, 2008

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My husband and I ate here last night. I hadn't been to the Cafe in over 5 years, and I was very disappointed with the quality of food. It was tasteless and one of the tapas we had actually had burnt parts.

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UNBELIEVABLE
By cmoy3@uic.edu from southside chicago, September 17, 2008

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Today was my second night there. Food was alright. Service was unbelievable. The waitress was cleaning my table. She dropped salad with olive oil on my bag. I wouldn't be too upset if it's a cheap purse. It was a Coach purse & I used it like 2 times. She tried to wipe it with her cloth and asked "Is this a REAL Coach bag" WHAT THE HECK. She said she'll bring the manager over if I wanted too. I told her to let me go use the washroom first to see if I can get the stain off. Still stained... so I asked to see the manager. All he did was apologize and took off the dessert & the pitcher of margarita off. I"M NEVER GOING BACK THERE. They ruined my night.

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Sadly, not what it used to be...
By chitown catracho from Avondale, August 11, 2008

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Ten years ago this place would've gotten 5 stars from me. The food was fresh and authentically prepared. The servers were almost entirely Spanish or other Latino/a and therefore knew the menu very well and didn't give me a funny look when I ordered the dishes with a Spanish pronunciation. The crowd was young, mixed, and loud... well I guess that part hasn't changed. Ever since they expanded to the huge dining space they now occupy, the food quality has declined and the service is below average. It's still a relatively good bargain and better than most other tapas places in Chicago, but nothing to rave about like in the old days.

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Not the Iberico of 4-5 years ago...
By FastMarkA from River West, March 6, 2008

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It saddens me to say this, but Cafe Iberico has gone downhill in the last 4-5 years. It used to be spectacular, and I completely understood the 2 hour waits. Now, the food is average at best -- it's a shame to see what was a truly authentic Spanish restaurant transform itself into something that caters to the American diner. And I'm part Spanish and American, so I can say that! C.I. is still a decent meal, but I no longer crave it nor rave about it.

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Great Late lunch at Iberico
By Blaw from Plainfield, February 10, 2008

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Went Yesterday for lunch. Total of 5 of us. Had a great time. In my opinion, its be best tapas in the area... and yes, I've been to 2 in Naperville, 1 in Westchester, and 1 on the "North Side" part of a big chain. There still are more Spanish tapas places, and I will inevitably try them, but for years now Iberico has been my favorite. Food was Wonderful on a Saturday Afternoon. DO NOT expect the following, if you have ever been to a Tapas restaurant..... 1) Cosy quite dark place to talk, 2) to Order all at once, and expect items to come out with any pacing or "staging", and lastly 3) No to share your food. Valet parking at the front door is $10. Keep up the good work.

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Good food.
By SP from Chicago, January 26, 2008

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The food in this place is always great. For the money there is no other. The service is good as far as bringing the food is concerned but the staff should be better trained for suggestions. THe server couldn't answer any questions about the wine or recommendations. That is a negative. The place is also very loud.

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